An Efficient Procedure for Cable Dome Design using Influence Surface Analysis

Cable domes are tensegrity-type structures made of an assembly of prestressed cables in equilibrium with vertical struts. Members are stressed purely in axial tension or compression leading to an optimal use of materials. This paper provides an efficient approach for the analysis and design of radial-type cable domes using influence surface analysis which is based on the Müller-Breslau principle. The results from the method were used to identify critical load combinations for member designs. Particularly, domes vulnerable to wind uplift were easily recognized prompting an enhancement in the prestressing forces. As such, the influence surface analysis helped to streamline the otherwise cumbersome design process. A summary of results is presented for a one-hoop dome.